Characterization of Dust Storms to Hong Kong in April 1998

In April 1998, two intense dust storms were generated in CentralAsia and transported eastward across East Asia (15 and 19 April). This article presents the chemical characterization ofHong Kong (HK) aerosols during the dust storms. During the 15 Aprildust storm, hourly respiratory suspended particles (RSP)(particle diameter smaller than 10 m) concentrationsmonitored at 7 sites in Hong Kong reached the peak valuessynchronously between 9 and 11 a.m. on 17 April, in which thehighest concentration was 267 g m^-3. Analysis ofthe RSP samples showed that concentrations of crustalelements (Ba, Ca, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mg, K⁺) and anthropogenicspecies (As, Ni, Pb, Zn, NH₄ ⁺, NO₃ ^-,SO₄ ^2- and total carbon) were substantiallyenhanced. Enhancement of these species was more than afactor of 2 to 14 relative to the non dust period. The totalcarbon content was high, at 59 g m^-3 (notincluding carbonate), and the enrichment factors of Asand Pb on 17 April were 122 and 117, respectively. Thisimplied that anthropogenic materials together with mineraldust were transported to HK from Mainland China. Based onmaterial balance calculations, mineral dust contributed41% to the observed RSP mass on 17 April, which was 2 times thatof the nondust sample (22%). From the 5-day backwardtrajectory analysis, this storm was transported directlyfrom Northwest China to HK. However, there was nocorresponding observation for the 19 April dust stormaerosol. Consequently, 15 April storm had stronger impact onHK's atmosphere than 19 April storm. Compared to the HK AirQuality Objective, 15 April dust storm did not cause seriousair pollution in HK.     

Potential application of high pressure carbon dioxide in treated wastewater and water disinfection: Recent overview and further trends

Recently emerging disadvantages in conventional disinfection have heightened the need for finding a new solution. Developments in the use of high pressure carbon dioxide for food preservation and sterilization have led to a renewed interest in its applicability in wastewater treatment and water disinfection. Pressurized CO₂ is one of the most investigated methods of antibacterial treatment and has been used extensively for decades to inhibit pathogens in dried food and liquid products. This study reviews the literature concerning the utility of CO₂ as a disinfecting agent, and the pathogen inactivation mechanism of CO₂ treatment is evaluated based on all available research. In this paper, it will be argued that the successful application and high effectiveness of CO₂ treatment in liquid foods open a potential opportunity for its use in wastewater treatment and water disinfection. The findings from models with different operating conditions (pressure, temperature, microorganism, water content, media …) suggest that most microorganisms are successfully inhibited under CO₂ treatment. It will also be shown that the bacterial deaths under CO₂ treatment can be explained by many different mechanisms. Moreover, the findings in this study can help to address the recently emerging problems in water disinfection, such as disinfection by-products (resulting from chlorination or ozone treatment).     

A Value Orientation for Nature Preservation in Singapore

Over the past decade, the cause of nature preservation in Singapore had gained momentum through the efforts of the various non-governmental organisations. Tussles over disputed nature areas such as the Lower Peirce Forest, Marina South, Senoko, etc., had also garnered a great deal of publicity in the mass media. Many arguments for nature conservation were given by conservationists --- from the economic to the ecological --- without considering carefully their local relevance and impact. This paper provides an outline of a value orientation for nature preservation in Singapore --- taking into account the local context in terms of the economic, cultural, social and ecological conditions existing in this country. The major values usually associated with nature conservation are reviewed and prioritised in terms of local relevance and impact. The strategic thrust of the value orientation advocated is, in the final analysis, anthropocentric rather than non--anthropocentric in perspective.     

Performance of the hybrid growth sequencing batch reactor (HG-SBR) for biodegradation of phenol under various toxicity conditions

Hybrid growth microorganisms in sequencing batch reactors have proven effective for treating the toxic compound phenol, but the toxicity effect under different toxicity conditions has rarely been discussed. Therefore, the performance of the HG-SBR under toxic, acute and chronic organic loading can provide the overall operating conditions of the system. Toxic organic loading(TOL) was monitored during the first 7 hr while introducing50 mg/L phenol to the system. The system was adversely affected with the sudden introduction of phenol to the virgin activated sludge, which caused a low degradation rate and high dissolved oxygen consumption during TOL. Acute organic loading(AOL) had significant effects at high phenol concentrations(600, 800 1000 mg/L). The specific oxygen uptake rate(SOUR) gradually decreased to 4.9 mg O_2/(g MLVSS·hr) at 1000 mg/L of phenol compared to 12.74 mg O_2/(g MLVSS·hr) for 200 mg/L of phenol. The HG-SBR was further monitored during chronic organic loading(COL) over 67 days. The effects of organic loading were more apparent at 800 mg/L and 1000 mg/L phenol concentrations, as the removal range was between 22%–30% and 18%–46% respectively, which indicated the severe effects of COL.